FYS140, Deemer 1

University of I ndianapolis
FYS140-01, Presentation of the Self, 3 credit hours
Syllabus for Semester I , 2014-2015
Professor: Dr. Rebecca A. Deemer
E-mail: rdeemer@uindy.edu
Office: 311D
Office Phone: 791-5720
Office Hours: Tuesdays 9-11am; Thursdays 10-11am or by appointment

Catalog Description
Researches and implements the strategies of externally representing oneself, especially in job searches
and professional development. As social media and the internet have emerged as research tools for
potential employers, this course discusses ways to use that fact to the students advantage, as the course
implements a mini research campaign to help students begin constructing and disseminating their desired
image, or ideal presentation of the self, to others.
University Learning Goals
This course builds and enhances the following general education goals:
Critical thinkingby challenging the student to make judgments about their desired external
image and the reality of what their own activities and actions do to enhance or challenge that
desired image.
Creativityby challenging students to design, verbally and graphically, a representation of their
desired image and to implement said representation in a variety of creative ways.
Performanceby challenging the students to prepare and present materials in a variety of ways,
included but not limited to presentations and portfolio creation.
Social responsibilityby challenging the student to reflect, and begin acting upon, how they can
be a positive influence on their future profession, and the campus community, and to reflect upon
disparities (and ways to find congruence) between their external image (the way others perceive
them) and the way that they wish to be perceived.

Course Objective
FYS140 will introduce the student to readings regarding personal branding (the external imaging process
in business terms) in order to gain an understanding of how to successfully implement a personal
branding campaign. Furthermore, using contemporary readings and implementing research to discuss
ones perceived image, this class heightens the students awareness of their own external image and their
opportunity to help direct the brandor the imageof oneself. Specifically, personal branding as it
relates to job searches and professional development will be discussed. This course will develop the
students capacity to understand and implement branding strategies with the knowledge of social science
theories, thereby using the internet and social media to their advantage.
Required Materials
Arruda, W. & Dixson, K. (2007). Career distinction. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
E-mailed readings based on current events and excerpts about presentation of the self.


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Course Schedule

This is a tentative schedule, subject to change. I do try to adhere strictly to the syllabus, but in
extraordinary circumstances, there could be amendments. All noted readings are to be done prior to the
class period to enhance discussion and your participation grade.
August 26 Course overview; syllabus, meet and greet, play fact or fiction. Class survey
construction. Do out-of-class survey about your image; Rebecca will e-mail
readings for September 2 and color-coded syllabus
August 28 Personal messaging goals due; Google self #1 due; discussions with peers; what
is your external brand/image?

September 2 Journal One due; College student readings due and discuss
September 4 What is your external perception?

September 9 CD pages vii-32 due for discussion
September 11 CD pages 33-56 due for discussion

September 16 Research on professional organizations (of the students intended future career)
due; discussion. CD pages 57-78 due for discussion.
September 18 CD pages 79-96 due for discussion

September 23 Journal Two due; activities, CD pages 97-114
September 25 Personal branding/external image sheets due; discussion, CD pages115-141 due
for discussion

September 30 CD pages 142-170; possible guests
October 2 CD pages 171-184

October 7 CD pages 185- 192 (end) due for discussion
October 9 Midterm

October 14 No class; Fall break
October 16 Resume workshop


October 21 Go over midterm; Personal website workshop
October 23 Panel of outside professionals

October 28 Resume due, discussion in groups; Rebecca will e-mail theory readings
October 30 Journal Three due; activities

November 4 Discuss different types of research; Social media readings and discuss
November 6 Personal statement videos due; discussion; Rebecca will e-mail Cyrus/Woods
readings

November 11 No class; Veterans Day
November 13 Discuss Social Judgment Theory and other related theories; Personal website due

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November 18 Miley Cyrus and Tiger Woods readings due and discuss
November 20 Google Self #2 due; focus groups with peers; what is your external brand image?

November 25 Discuss presentation skills
November 27 No class; Thanksgiving

December 2 Journal Four due; discussion
December 4 Branding/image portfolio and presentation due; review

Finals Week Final Exam




Unforeseen issues Occasionally, issues arise that may not be specifically covered by course policy set
forth in this syllabus. Such issues pertaining to the course will be handled as needed and negotiated with
the instructor who has the final decision-making authority.
If you have a disability that may have some impact on your work in this class and for which you may
require accommodations, please inform me immediately so that your learning needs may be
appropriately met. Students with a disability must register with the Services for Students with Disabilities
office (SSD) in Schwitzer Center 206 (317-788- 6153/www.uindy.edu/ssd) for disability verification and
for determination of reasonable academic accommodations. You are responsible for initiating
arrangements for accommodations for tests and other assignments in collaboration with the SSD and the
faculty.
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94-100% A
90-93% A-
88-89% B+
84-87% B
80-83% B-
78-79% C+
74-77% C
70-73% C
68-69% D+
64-67% D
60-63% D
<60% F



Assignments
Personal messaging goals 5
Google self #1 5
Research on professional organizations 5
Personal branding/external image sheet 5
Resume 10
Personal statement video 10
Personal website 15
Google self #2 5

Journals
One 5
Two 10
Three 10
Four 10

Final Project
Branding/image presentation 25
Portfolio 20

Exams
Midterm 30
Final 35

Participation 20
Class Leading 25
250 points total



Ranges

250-224 A range
223-199 B range
198-174 C range
173-149 D range
148 & below F range







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Assignments

Personal messaging goals: This one paragraph, typed document should include the key ideas or
messages that one should take away from any encounter with you. These key ideas and messages are
things that should resonate with others when they meet you, hear about you, read about you, etc. How do
you hope others see you?

Google self #1: Each student will Google his or her own name. In this assignment, the findings that are
undoubtedly you and potentially you need to be reported. If ones name is Sam Smith please Google
Sam Smith Indianapolis (or your hometown) to get better results. Basically, pretend as though you are
a potential employer trying to research a candidateYOU. Report findings orally to the class. Special
attention should also be given to results that one could mistake as you. These findings (the ones of the
true you) will be presented during class.
Research on professional organizations: Each student will provide an oral report to the class on the
findings regarding his or her potential respective professional organizations. For instance, if a student
wishes to work in public relations, all professional organizations in which public relations professionals
may engage should be researched. The research should include the general membership advantages,
dues, conferences, etc. Questions will be asked about the organization and the answers will be included
in the grade.
Personal branding/external image sheet: This sheet (hardcopy) should provide a visual representation of
what each student wishes his or her brand, or external image, to be. This could be considered a sort of
personal logo, tagline, etc. Things such as color use, design, etc. should be contemplated. Ideally, this
one sheet should resemble a personal letterhead that could be used in the future.
Resume: Each student will compile a resume, with his or her personal messaging goals and personal
brand in mind. This resume should speak to the reader the exact message that the student has built to this
point in the course. This should be remitted hard copy.
Personal statement video: This video, from 2-4 minutes, should introduce the student, with intended
personal messages in mind, to any and all interested audiences. This video can be informal, using a flip
camera, cell camera, etc. as long as the quality is good. We will watch the videos in class. They should
be remitted by a link to Rebeccas e-mail.
Personal website: Each student will construct a personal website that conveys the desired external image
that the student wishes to convey to anyone who may search the internet. Links will be remitted to the
instructor for grading.
Google self #2: Each student will Google his or her own name again. In this assignment, the findings
that are undoubtedly you need reported. Basically, pretend as though you are a potential employer trying
to research a candidateYOU. Orally report findings to the class.


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Journals 1-4
Your journals should be your personal reflections on how you feel about perceptions of you (and your
brand/external image), ideas on how to better find consistency between others perceptions of you and
your ideal messaging goals, and the personal dilemmas and ethical questions that may arise from the
readings and in-class discussions. Each journal entry should be a minimum of two pages, typed. Writing
counts. You must write well and use good grammar, punctuation, etc.
Final Portfolio and Presentation
You will compile a portfolio (including ideas from refined assignments from the semester) that could
easily and concisely educate others about you. Each portfolio must include 5-10 pages. Your
messaging goals and branding sheet will dictate the look and feel of the portfolio. Your resume must be
included. The remaining pages should be used to best educate others about you and your professional
goals, show work samples, etc.
A 5 minute presentation will be given about the portfolio. These presentations should be professionally
done, using basic public speaking concepts.
Exams
There will be two examsa midterm and a final. These exams will be multiple-choice based on the
readings that are assigned for class, as well as discussions.
Participation
You will have the chance to earn 20 participation points by contributing to class discussions, being an
excellent audience member, abiding by the classroom rules, and so on. You are allotted 3 absences
excused or not. These should be reserved for illness or extreme circumstances. If you miss 4 classes, the
highest participation grade that you may receive will be 10 points. With 5 or more absences, no
participation points will be awarded. You must be in class the entire duration to ensure not being counted
absent. These are NOT automatic points for simply attending class; you must be engaged actively in the
class. Please talk to me if you have extreme circumstances that you need to address. I reserve the right
to withdraw any student for poor attendance or lack of sufficient progress in the class.
Class Leading
Each student, at least one time, will lead the class discussion based on the reading due. It is HIGHLY
RECOMMENDED that each student come prepared every day to potentially lead the discussion.
Handwritten notes are encouraged and will be allowed when facilitating discussion. No typed notes may
be used.



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Class Management
An infraction of any of the following rules will provide a negative result.
1. If you miss anything in classan assignment due date, a test, etc., and do not contact me within
24 hours with a very valid reason, you will not be allowed to make up the work. I have final
decision-making authority in these situations. If you are allowed to make up work, it must be
delivered the very next class meeting, unless I request it before. If a test is allowed to be made
up, you and I will set up a testing time within 3 days of the absence.
2. Dont have a lack of respectespecially for your classmates.
3. When your classmates are informally or formally speaking or presenting, PAY ATTENTION.
Your grade will be docked if you do not actively listen to your classmates.
4. If you come to class unprepared, you need a VERY valid reason for me to accept your work late.
I may accept the work late in extraordinary circumstances, I may accept it with a deduction, or I
may not accept it at all. Thats a gamble you are taking if its not done. All work is due at the
BEGINNING of the class period and MUST BE REMITTED IN HARDCOPY FORM.
5. If you are late to your presentation DO NOT walk in the room until there is a break in between
presentations. This is very disruptive to the speaker(s) and the audience alike.
6. Dont expect me to contact you and tell you what to do if you missed a class. It is your
responsibility to contact me.
7. Dont come into class and ask is the test next week? or do we have a lecture today? It is all
on the syllabus. Read it.
8. Dont be late. Dont leave early.